Motor steering apparatus



I Feb. 6, 1945. c. BOWLING MOTOR STEERING APPARATUS Filed Aug. 26, 1943 2 Sheets-Shget 1 Feb. 6, 1945.

1.. c. BOWLING MOTOR STEERING APPARATUS 'Filed Aug. 26, 1943 2 Shegts-Sheet 2 Zip-WW zdaliarcfffiww x w v w w wmw mw Patented Feb. 6, 19 15 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE MOTOR STEERING APPARATUS Leonard 0. Bowling, Houston, Tex., assignor of one-half to Lee 0. Koen; H ouston, Tex.

Application August 2c, 1943, SerialNo. 500,156

7 Claims.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in motor steering apparatus.

One object of the invention is to provide an improved power steering apparatus, either air or Y hydraulic wherein the manual operation is substantially confined to the actuation of simple control means, preferably incorporated in the drag I link, whereby the steering load imposed upon the sitive to manual manipulation and the steering is responsive to the varying forces applied by the driver in turning the steering wheel, thus placing the steering under complete control at all times; v

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved steering apparatus wherein a given. turn of the steering wheel will cause operation of the power steering means, but which operation will be automatically equalized and the power tion will be hereinafter described together with other features of the invention.

The invention will be more readily understood from a reading of the followingspeciflcation and by reference to the accompanying drawings,

wherein an example of the invention is shown,

and wherein:

Figure l is a fragmentary side view of a motor vehicle equipped with a power steering apparatus constructed in accordance with the invention,

Figure 2 is an enlarged longitudinal sectional view of the forward 'portion of the drag link casing showing the air control means,

Figure 3 is an enlarged longitudinal sectional view of the forward portion of the drag link,

taken at a ,right angle to Figure 2, and showing the independently movable plunger,

Figure 4 is a plan view showing the valve seat,

, Figure 5 isan underside view of the valve cap I and valve disk, and

Figure 6 is a further enlarged front end .view of the casing. partly in elevation and partly in section.

In the drawings, the numeral I0 designates a drag link, the forward portion II of which may be of any suitable construction, according to the particular motor vehicle upon which the link is installed. As the invention resides more particularly in other elements, the usual steering steering control returned to neutral unless the connectionsto which the forward portion II 8 driver continues to apply turning-force or torque to the steering wheel.

An important object of the invention is to provide an improved drag link for a power steering apparatus, which link has incorporated therein,

pressureresponsive means for controlling the supply of fluid to the power supply means thus making it possible to convert an ordinary power steering apparatus; simply by connecting the improved drag link therein and adjusting the fluid connections thereto.

.Still another object of the invention is to provide anmimproved drag link having a fluid control element and means, movable independently of the link proper for actuating the fluid control element.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved drag link carrying a flui'd'control valve and resiliently sustained movable means for positively operating said valve from the steering wheel and automatically operating said valve in reaction to resistance, offered by the front wheels and steering mechanism attached to the drag link. I I

A construction designed to carry out the invenconnected, will not be described in detail, but designated as the steering linkage l2 and the front wheels l3, to which said linkage is connected according to the manufacture of the vehicle.

The rear end of the drag link portion H may screwed in the reduced forward end of a cylin drical casing M, or otherwise suitably secured thereto, as by welding. The casing in its forward portion has a longitudinal axial bore I5 and the remainder of the, casing extending rearwardly therefrom, is made in the form of an integral sleeve to provide a housing I 6. The rear end of the housing is internally screw threaded at I! and a clevis I8 has its reduced shank I! screwed thereinto, 'The forward portion ll of the drag linkmay vary in length according to difierent vehicle constructions. The invention being more, particularly applicable in trucks and heavy motor vehicles, the drag link may be, in some instances, comparatively short and the casing I may constitute the major portion thereof.

The housing has a slot 20 in its outer sidewall, intermediate its ends. A tubular plunger 2| has a sliding lit in the housing and is provided in its side wall, with a slot 22 coacting with the slot 20 A pair of circular bearing disks 23 and 24 are movably fitted in the .bore of the plunger for receiving therebetween, the ball 25 which is mounted on the inner side of the steerin arm 26, as is now in common use on motor vehicles.

This arm extends through the slots 20 and 22.

The rear disk 23 abuts a -plug 21 screwed into the rear end of the plunger; while the front disk 24 ,is engaged by a coiled spring 28 confined in the bore of the plunger between said disk and the front wall of said plunger. This spring is quite heavy and is under sufficient compression to hold the disks 23 and 24 in contact with the ball 25, during all operations. The faces of the disks, adjacent the ball 25 are frusto-conical having reduced concaved seats 29 for receiving the From the foregoing, it is apparent that the housing I4 becomes J an integral part of the drag link, while the plunger 2I is resiliently sustained in the housing and movable therewith or independ entiy thereof. Conversely when the plunger is held, the housing and drag link are movable independently of the plunger. It will be noted that the springs 30 and M are comparatively heavy.

The spacing between the coils of these springs.

controls to a degree the distance the plunger 2! .may be moved before the coils contact and prevent further movement of the plunger, independently of the housing I4. This makes for fiexiability.

' An integral plunger rod 32 extends forwardly snugly in a complementary recess 49 in the valve disk. When the shaft 34 is rotated, the valve disk 43 is likewise rotated.

The valve seat 3! is provided with vertical ports 5I, 52 and 53 disposed inan arc concentric to the bore 35 and equidistant therefrom. The central port 5| forms an exhaust port and is connected at its lower end with a vent passage 54 (Figs. 2 and 4) extending forwardly in the casin I4 and open to the atmosphere. Lateral passages 52 and 53 extend respectively from the ports 52 and 53 through the casing to the outer surface-thereof.

The valve cap 38 has auinternally screw threaded nipple 55 extending forwardly thereon and communicating with the space in the chamber 4I above the disk 43. As is shown in Figure 1,

' a flexible air feed line 56 is suitably connected to l the nipple-and is supported on a mounting block 51 secured to the side of the frame A-of the motor vehicle. This line 56 is connected in the block to an air supply line 58 which includes a pressure regulator '59. Any suitable mechanism (not shown) may be provided for supplying air or liquid to the line 58. Such mechanisms are well known and are now in common use. of the foregoing connections the chamber 4| is constantly maintained full of fluid under working pressure.

The valve disk 43 has a pair of arcuately spaced ports I52 and I53 which extend entirely therethrough. An arcuate duct I5I is formed in the underside of the disk between the ports, but does not connect therewith. The ports I52 and I53 and the duct I5I are-located in an are having the same'radius as the arc in which the ports SI, 52

'and 53 are disposed, and at the same distance from the center of the bore 35. When the disk is in its neutral or central position as shown in Figures 2 and 6, the bottoms of the disk ports I52 and I53 are sealed by the valve seat 37 and no from the plunger into the bore I5 of the casing I4, and intermediate its ends is provided with circumferential teeth 33. An upright shaft 34 is journaledin a vertical bore in the housing at one side of the rod and'has vertical teeth 33 on its outer surface meshing with the teeth 33, whereby said shaft is rotated uponlongitudinal movement of the plunger rod. As i shown in Figures 2, 4 and 6, the casing I4 has a fiat valve seat 31 on its upper'side surrounding the bore 35; this seat bein at right angles to the slot 20. A valve cap 38 is fastened on the seat by suitable means, as machine bolts 39 (Fig. 3). The cap and seat .are shown as substantially square in plan. The underside 40 of the cap and the face of the seat 31 are finished smooth, so as to provide a fluid-tight joint therebetween.

The cap 38 has a cylindrical valve chamber 4! therein open at the underside of the cap and provided with a reduced concentric circular recess 42 at its top. A valve disk 43 is rotatably confined in the chamber and has a central upstanding stud 44. The underside or face of the disk fiuid can pass through said ports. At the same time, the duct I5I overlies the ports 5E, 52 and 53, whereby the passages 52' and'53' are connected through the port 5i and vent passage 54 to the atmosphere. Thus in neutral position the ports 52 and 53 and passages '52 and 53 are open to the atmosphere.

Referring. again to Figures 1 and 4, it will be seen that the passage 52' is connected to a flexible air line 62, while the passage 53' is connected to a flexible air line 63, .both being supported in the mounting block 51 and connected respectively to air lines I62 and I53. The line I62 is connected to the forward end of the usual air cylinder which is mounted on the frame A of the vehicle; while the line I63 is connected tothe rear end of said cylinder. The cylinder has the usual piston head 6I therein from which the piston rod 64 extends forwardly through the front.

head of the cylinder. A-pitman 65 is connected at it rear end by a universal joint 66 with the forward end of the piston rod; while the forward end of the pitman is connected by a universal joint 6'! with the clevis I8 of the drag link. It is pointed out that the entire airpower system,

exclusive of the improved drag link may be of any approved form and the invention is not restricted' thereto. Also the air valve carried by the casing I4 may b of any suitable construction, so long as it will control the supply and exhaust of air in response to movements of the drag link elements.

In describing the operation, it will be assumed that the disk valve 43 is in neutral position,

By means 52 and 53 and-thus being connected in common with the vent passage 54. The steering wheel B of the motor vehicle will be in its straitaway driving position, the steering arm 26 perpendicular and the front wheels position. Air under pressureis supplied by the lines 58 and 56 to the chamber 4I of the valve cap 38 and fills said chamber and the ports I52 and I53, but cannot escape because the bottoms of said ports are sealed by the valve seat 31. The piston BI will be in its central'position.

If the driver turns the steering wheel B to the right or clockwise the arm 26 will be swung rearwardly. Owing to the frictional load placed upon tires of the front wheels I3, rearward movement of the drag link I0, including portion II and casing I4, will .be resisted and consequently the plunger 2| will be independently moved rearwardly against the compression of the spring 30.

Such rearward movement of the plunger will cause its rod .33 to .rotate the shaft 34 in a counter-clockwise direction by reason of the meshing of the teeth 33' and 36 whereby the valve disk 43 will 'be turned counter-clockwise.

When the valve disk 43 is turned counterclockwise, the duct I5I will be moved out of communication with port 52, .but will maintain communication with the port 53, whereby the lines I62 and 63 leading from the rear end of the cylinder will still happen to the atmosphere. At the same time the port I52 will be moved into communication with port 52, whereby fluid will flow through port 52, passage 52' and 1ines62 served that so longas the compression of the .springs 30 and 3I is substantially equalized, the

I3 in normal driving plunger 2| and the valve disk 43 will remain in a neutral position regardless of the position of the drag link.

If the driver should continue to turn the steering wheel to the right sufficiently to continue the counterclockwise turning of the disk .43, the port will be moved into communication with the port 5|, whereby air flowing from port I52 will be exhausted to the atmosphere and injury to the mechanism prevented. The foregoing description of the invention is explanatory thereof and various changes in the size, shape and materials, as well as in the details of the illustrated construction may be made, within the scope of I the appended claims, without departing from the and I62 to the forward end of the air cylinder I seated by the valve inder 60, the piston head SI will be forced rearspirit of the invention.

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A motor vehicle drag link including, 9. casing, a member slidable in the casing, heavy coiled springs confined in the casing under compression and engaging the opposite ends of said member, whereby the member may undergo a limited sliding movement, each of said springs becoming fully compressed when the member reaches the end of its limited sliding movement in the direction of said spring, whereby the casing is moved longitudinally against the steering load, yieldable means for connecting the slidable member with .the steering arm of a motdr vehicle, and a'fluid supply valve operably connected directly with said sliding member.

2. A motor vehicle drag link as set forth in claim 1, wherein the fluid supply valve includes a rotatable valve disk having rotation means directly driven by the slidable member and fluid wardly whereby the drag link I 0 will be pulled rearwardly and the steering linkage I2 operated to swin the front wheels I3 to the right. If the driver does not continue to turn the steering wheel B to the right, the rearward movement of the casing I4 by the piston SI of the power mechanism will cause the plunger 2| to remain relatively stationary, whereby the shaft 34 will .be

rotated clockwise and the valve disk 43 likewise rotated clockwise which will restore it to its neuports coacting with said disk together with means for bleeding the supply offiuid to the atmosphere controlled by said dis 3. Amotor vehicle'drag link including, a casing connected in the drag link, a tubular plunger slidably mounted in the casing, resilient means in the casing and between which the plunger is confined, yieldable means within the plunger for receiving the ball of a steering arm, a fluid supply valve carried by the casing, and an operating connection between the plunger and the valve.

4. A motor vehicle drag link including, a casing connected in the drag link, a tubular plunger tral position. During the rearward movement of the drag link the compression of the spring 30 will be reduced, but said spring will act to prevent the plunger following the casing I4 rearwardly. When the valve disk 43 reaches its neutral position, the compression of the springs 30 and3 I will be substantially equalized.

However should the driver continue to turn the steering wheel to the right the plunger 2I will move rearwardly with the casing I4, or-lag or precede said casing, according to the torque of the steering wheel mechanism as applied by the driver. It is pointed out that at no' time is the driver called upon to supply the energy to actually turn the front wheels I3; that he can substantially "feel the resistance offered to the torque of the steering wheel and thus has a sensitive and positive steering control. He can control the supply of air to the point where the wheels will be turned gradually or rapidly, or where they may be under constant turning pressure, as in an efiort'to swing said wheels out of a. rut. His entire expenditure'of force is confined to the actuation of the air valve; It will also be obslidably mounted in the casing,- resilient means I in the casing and between which the plunger is confined, yieldable means, within the plunger for receiving the ball of a steering arm, aplunger rod connected with the plunger and extending therefrom provided with gear teeth, a fluid supply valve carried by the casing and including a. retating disk, and a gear shaft connected with the disk of said valve and'geared to the plunger rod.

5. A motor vehicle drag link including, a casing connected in the drag link and having a slot for receiving the steeringarm of a motor vehicle, a tubular plungerslidable in the casing and having a slot for receiving the steering arm of a motor vehicle, yieldable means within the plunger for receiving the ball of a steering arm, a fluid supply valve carried by the casing, and an operating connection between the plunger and the valve. 1

6.In a motor vehicle steering apparatus the combination of a drag link, a casing connected in the drag link, a member slidable in the casing, resilient means in the casing between which the slidable member is confined, a connection be tween the steering arm and the slidable member, a plunger slid-able ln the casing, coiled springs a fluid supply valve carried by the casing, and in the casing betweenwhich the plunger is conan operating connection between the slidabie fined, a. connection between the steering arm and member and the valve independent of the steerthe plunger, a fluid supply valve carried by the ing arm. 5 casing, and a positive operating connection be- 7. In a motor vehicle steering apparatus the tween the plunger and the valve. combination of, a steering arm, a drag link, a casing adapted to be connected to the drag link, LEONARD C. BOWLING. 

